Xavi Hernandez unlocked Mallorca's defense with a free kick in the 28th minute before Messi struck in the 44th. Cristian Tello then added a third goal a minute later at Iberostar stadium.

The game looked dead and buried until Mallorca netted twice early in the second half, but Messi stepped up to score again to ensure victory as Barcelona rebounded from their loss at Celtic in the Champions League.

"Leo's records are spectacular" said Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova afterwards. "It's spectacular when you think that he scores so many goals. Some few players reach these numbers in seven or eight seasons, he does it in one. And most of his goals are great goals."

Xavi Hernandez took full advantage of a foul earned by Cesc Fabregas on the edge of the area. The Spain midfielder bent a beautiful free kick over the defensive barrier that turned goalkeeper Dudu Aouate into yet another spectator as it fell into his net.

"Both Xavi's opener and Leo's goal to make it 4-2 were the turning points to the match," said Gerard Pique, who made his first start for Barcelona since injuring his foot in September.

Messi converted Barcelona's 75 percent of possession into a deserved second goal when the Argentina forward dribbled by several defenders and unleashed a left footed-shot that Aouate let slip through his hands.

Tello then quickly made it 3-0 by curving a strike from outside the area into the far side of the goal.

When it appeared Barcelona would cruise to the comfortable victory, two errors allowed Mallorca to get back into the game.

Mallorca's Michael Pereira pulled one back in the 55th after Javier Mascherano lost the ball. Two minutes later, Victor Casadesus made it 3-2 from the penalty spot following Sergio Busquets' handball in the box.

But Messi received a chested pass from Alexis Sanchez and smashed the ball into the top corner to restore Barcelona's two-goal advantage and crush Mallorca's hopes. It was his 20th strike in all competitions this season.

Messi, one of the leading candidates for the Ballon D'Or, scored 73 goals in the 2011-12 season for Barcelona, breaking the previous European club record of 67 goals set by Mueller in 1972-73. He also set a Spanish league record of 50 goals last season and broke Cesar Rodriguez's 57-year milestone of 232 goals to become Barcelona all-time leading scorer.

Pele scored 75 goals for Brazil and Santos in 1958. Mueller had 85 in 1972 for West Germany and Bayern Munich.